hope Archives - The Mom Initiative

I Have a Secret: I Leak at Night!

Bet that got your attention! No, this isn’t a bladder problem. It’s a spiritual problem. I think my bucket leaks while I’m asleep. Well, to be honest, I have another secret. I leak during the day even more! I leak through cracks in my foundation, chinks in my armor, rips in my soul, holes in my heart, and gaps in my attitude. And any other rift in my being. I just plain ol’ run out. So, I MUST refill my tank every morning. David said, “My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning I …

Hope for the Hard Days

I spotted it the moment I stepped out of the bathroom-a smudgy blue footprint in the middle of the walkway. Instantly, my stomach twisted at the sight. Because every mom knows where there is one footprint, there is more. I’d been alone behind that bathroom door for less than five minutes- just enough time to speed-wash my hair and slap on deodorant. But after a decade of motherhood, I knew that a few moments was ample time for a three-year-old to ignite a disaster. I wrapped a towel around my dripping hair and followed the path of blue blotches out …

Faith in Darkness and Light

I often wonder what this day was like for the disciples. Jesus – their teacher, leader, Messiah – was dead. The earth hadn’t shaken yet, and the stone was still firmly in place. I wonder if they felt betrayed, lost, confused, scared. They were huddled together on Sunday, but did they isolate themselves on Saturday? There was no hint that they remembered Jesus’s words – those that promised He would rise again, that this was not the end. I’m guessing it felt like the end. And moms there are times in our lives that everything around us looks hopeless. Times …

Lord, I believe, help my unbelief!

Dear Mom, Have you ever had days in your life when the only prayer you could muster was that prayer of the desperate father in Mark 9:24, “Lord, I believe, help my unbelief?” When it seemed like my world was falling apart, and nothing made sense, this was my familiar prayer. If I had the opportunity to sit and have a heart to heart with John the Baptist, I’m sure he would wholeheartedly share how much he can relate to that. Because he too, had his moment of “Lord, I believe, but help my unbelief.” Do you remember that moment …

God in the Strife and Struggle l Lori Wildenberg

Exhaustion. Part of the parenting experience. Little ones challenge us physically and emotionally and bigger kids physiologically, emotionally, and spiritually. Neither path is…smooth. But God is faithful in the strife and struggle. Even though there are times it doesn’t feel like this, he has perfectly chosen and equipped you and me to be our child’s parent. Even though there are times it doesn’t feel like this, He has perfectly chosen & equipped us to be our child’s parent Click To Tweet Many parents of tweens, teens, and young adults are perplexed by the issues their kids are facing or by …

When Fear Captures Your Heart ~ (Four Ways to Fight Fear)

Has fear ever captured your heart? It has mine many times in the past and even recently. In 1989, I received a call that would forever change the course of my life. See, I had lived in fear through an abusive marriage and thought that after those days were over I would not live in fear any longer. Boy was I wrong. The call brought it all back. It returned in a more vicious way than before. No longer was it about me, but now it was concerning my children. The clutches reached out that day and captured my heart …

Hope Amidst Your Shattered Dreams

Ever since you were a little girl you dreamed of your prince charming … only he has yet to come and you’re wondering now if he ever will. Shattered dreams. When you got married, you meant your vows … “for better or worse, richer or poorer, sickness or health, till death do you part.” Your marriage wasn’t perfect, as none are, but nothing could have prepared you for the day he walked out on you. Shattered dreams. You raised your children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, teaching them as the Bible tells you to teach them. But …

5 Lessons Learned in the Emergency Room

Last week was the 3rd time we had to take our baby to the ER since January 1st. Never have we been to the ER so many times with one child. Poor little Charlie, he has had a very sick winter with RSV, stomach bug, respiratory infection and whatever else a baby can catch this time of year. Last week, he dislocated his elbow. HOW? I have no clue, but he did. Actually I did it, but don’t know how. So, needless to say I am learning some new things thanks to all of these trips to the ER. Always take …